Maryland regulatory staff question legality of BGE microgrid proposals

The Maryland Public Service Commission staff said utility ownership of microgrids may not be legal, and called for a broad investigation into their use in the state.

By Robert Walton • June 7, 2016

New Jersey startup seeks to be the 'Uber' of battery storage delivery

Power Edison, a New Jersey startup, is offering grid-scale lithium-ion batteries as a plug and play strategy for utilities looking to defer new plant investments.

By Peter Maloney • June 6, 2016

Explore the Trendline➔

Distributed Energy Resource Growth

Distributed energy resources, including rooftop solar, battery storage and electric vehicles, are experiencing significant growth in the U.S. as the power sector evolves to a cleaner, less centralized future.

By Utility Dive staff

FERC greenlights CAISO's push to integrate DERs into markets

Aggregations that span multiple pricing nodes can be as large as 20 MW, but there are some limitations on existing generators of 1 MW or more. 

By Robert Walton • June 6, 2016

Microgrid capacity to exceed 3.7 GW by 2020, a new study says

While most microgrids in service are still fueled by fossil fuels, almost half of projects in development will include renewable energy.

By Robert Walton • June 3, 2016

Flow battery developer to build world's largest battery storage system

UniEnergy Technologies and Chinese company Rongke Power plan to install 800 MWh flow battery array in China, making it the largest one in the world. 

By Peter Maloney • June 2, 2016

SolarCity launches new rooftop loan product to replace MyPower offering

The new loans will answer a customer demand for shorter terms and fixed payments, an executive said.

By Gavin Bade, Herman Trabish • June 2, 2016

Statoil to add battery storage to a Scottish floating wind project

Norwegian oil company Statoil plans to add 1 MWh battery storage to a floating wind farm off the Scottish coast.

By Peter Maloney • June 1, 2016

Arizona Public Service pushes residential demand charges in new rate case

The $3.6 billion rate case includes a proposal for three different residential demand charge options, which the utility says will incentivize customers to manage peak usage. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 1, 2016

Energy storage's role in decarbonization will depend on duration, cost cuts

For a clean grid, "storage is not a requisite if a diverse mix of flexible, low-carbon power sources is employed," according to a new study by Argonne Laboratory and MIT.

By Peter Maloney • May 31, 2016

SPP CEO: Regionalization, transmission help push renewables penetration near 50%

Southwest Power Pool CEO Nick Brown says he sees solar, storage and more footprint expansion coming in the next five years.

By Gavin Bade • May 26, 2016

Strange bedfellows: How solar and utilities struck a net metering compromise in New York

Communication and a forward-thinking regulatory framework are key to finding middle ground. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 26, 2016

Hawaiian Electric could hit some rooftop solar caps next month, filing warns

A group of solar interests says the caps on the customer grid supply tariff on Maui could be hit in the second week of June.

By Gavin Bade • May 26, 2016

FERC grants NYISO request to give behind-the-meter resources market access

Federal regulators last week approved tariff changes for the New York ISO, allowing some distributed energy resources to participate in capacity and energy markets.

By Robert Walton • May 25, 2016

SolarCity: Nevada rooftop solar delivers 1.6¢/kWh in net benefits to grid

A new report from the leading rooftop solar installer argues previous analyses of solar's value to the state have been incomplete.

By Gavin Bade • May 24, 2016

A grid of DERs: DOE program aims for 100% solar penetration on the distribution system

The new SunShot program will dole out $25M to solutions aimed at integrating truly unprecedented amounts of distributed generation.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 24, 2016

Report: Fuel cell and CHP market set to grow by 11 GW over next decade

A new report from GTM Research sees on-site CHP and fuel cells growing by 11 GW over the next 10 years.

By Peter Maloney • May 23, 2016

Microgrid advocates IDEA and Microgrid Resources Coalition join forces

The International District Energy Association and the Microgrid Resources Coalition will merge to improve their advocacy efforts surrounding microgrid development and regulation.

By Robert Walton • May 23, 2016

Arizona begins hearings on co-op plan for higher fixed charges, lower net metering rates

The Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative rate case request includes a special charge to rooftop solar customers and a cut in net metering rates.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 23, 2016

PECO proposes two microgrids to boost resiliency in Pennsylvania community

Designed to power Pennsylvania community Concord Township, PECO's proposed microgrids would be powered primarily by natural gas engines in addition to solar and storage.

By Robert Walton • May 23, 2016

New York PSC enacts new revenue models for utilities in REV proceeding

Utilities in the Empire State have new options to earn revenue, though the traditional cost-of-service model was preserved by regulators as well.

By Gavin Bade • May 20, 2016

DOE releases comprehensive overview of efforts to cut solar costs

The SunShot program is 5 years into its 10 year run and 70% of the way to cutting solar cost to $0.06/kWh.  

By Herman K. Trabish • May 20, 2016

Caps raised, New Hampshire turns attention to imminent struggle over solar value

A new law that raised net metering caps also directed state regulators to devise a new solar incentive program within 10 months. Already some innovative proposals are surfacing. 

By Herman K. Trabish • May 19, 2016

Nevada governor's task force committee recommends grandfathering rooftop solar customers

A group on the energy task force convened by Gov. Brian Sandoval has passed a resolution recommending grandfathering, and it could end up being included in a future energy bill. 

By Gavin Bade • May 19, 2016

Ahead of review vote, Pennsylvania agencies at odds over net metering changes

The Independent Regulatory Review Commission is scheduled to vote today on new net metering limits — changes environmental regulators in the state oppose.

By Robert Walton • May 19, 2016

Sunrun teams with Tesla to install solar+storage for Hawaii's self-supply incentive

Billed at $0.19/kWh, the price of the solar and storage installation comes in well under Hawaii's average retail electric prices for residential customers. 

By Peter Maloney • May 18, 2016